Detachable frameless screen



July 3, 1945. H. P. RICHARDS DETACHABLE FRAMELESS SCREEN Filed Sept; 9. 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l K5 mwm MA Mm 1m 5% R mm B M M July 3, 1945. H. P. RICHARDS DETACHABLE FRAME-LESS SCREEN Filed Sept. 9. 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v INVENTOR.

HARRY P. 'RIEIHARDS mfiwmm, fiToRNEY supporting frame. the frame as a fixed part of the screen, the screen may be readily attached and detached from the Patented July 3, 1945' uufmzuv s'rArEs' PATENT orrlcs asiam l nn'rncmnm FRAMELESS 'scnEEN mm P. Richards, E nihurst, m. Application September 9, 1944, Serial No. 553,302

8 Claims. (01. 160-328) This invention relates to improvements in detachable window screens of the typecommerclal- 1y referred to as frameless, that is, detachable window screens without the usual distending and By reason of the omission of vices for attachment to the window casing, or to.

any other structure to which itis desirable to attach the screen, said holding devices being constructed so that the screen may be put under tension after the latter has been placed in position in the window frame, thus holding it taut with the edges, though unprovided with side rails, and said screen is held tight against the sides of the window casing or other support to which the screen is applied. i

It is recognized that in the prior art numerous attempts have been made to provide a detachable frameless window screen of this general class, but to best of the applicant's knowledge, none of the prior art structures have been in any way successful and none have been accorded commercial recognition. It is believed that this fact results from deficiencies of the prior art structures, and

their non-adaptability to standard parts and con-- struction which so greatly increase the cost as to seriously handicap sales acceptance.

The present improvement in detachable frameless screens is directed to simplify the upper and lower rails of the screen and their mode of attachment to the window frame, and also to the use of conventional screen parts wherever possible to effect a reduction in cost over the prevailing types of rails and fastening devices employed for frameless screens.

It is therefore a particular object of the invention to provide a readily detachable adjustable screen without a continuous frame which is easily installable in a window frame or the like, in such a manner as to seal the frame against insects and the like and yet be inexpensive to manufacture, be light in weight, and be strong enough to stand up under rigorous use and bad weather conditions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a detachable frameless screen that may be placed in position, or removed, from the inside of the window, thus greatly facilitatingits application to all windows irrespective of their altitude above the ground. 4

Another object of the invention is to provide a detachable screen with certain adjustable features so that sizes can be standardized to fit any opening thus reducing the cost of manufacture.

A further object of the invention is to provide a detachable screen which willextend across the entire opemng of the window frame thus allowing the opening of both the upper and lower windowsashes. v,

A further object of the invention is to provide a detachable screen which will extend across the iii) entire opening of the window frame and also contain certain adjustable features so thatsaid screen can be easily fitted into a window frame opening whose sides or top and bottom are not parallel or plumb. Such a condition would cause undue stresses upon the screen wire and cause an unsightly appearance on screens heretofore manufactured.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved screen of the frameless type, of simple construction so that it can be easily fitted and installed by a layman and be readily removable from the window frame from the inside to be compactly rolled for storage.

Other and further objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the drawings and specification.

With these objects in view, together with others which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides inthe novel construction, combination of parts and the arrangement thereof, as illustrated in the drawings, and which will be more fully described hereinafter, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of the various embodiments of my invention,

Figure l is a fragmentary perspective view of my screen installed in a window frame;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal central section of my tion of the window frame and the screen shown installed thereon are substantially identical.

Screen wire ll comprises a sheet of screening of a type commercially manufactured for this purpose and application, but the invention may be employed with any type of screen whether for excluding flies, insects, or even small animals. The

entire screen assembly, including the screen wire,

rails, and holding devices are preferably made of some. non-rusting light metal such as bronze.

The upper rail I2 is formed with flanges to provide a rigid transverse top member to fit snugly against the top window stop designated by the numeral 26. A plurality of slotted holes II areprovided to provide an easy means of fastening the rail l2 to the window stop as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 of the drawings.

The lower rail I3 is formed in a pleasing design and to provide a rigid transverse lower member. The webs 24 and the flange 25 provide this necessary rigidity. The secondary rail I8 is used to take up any irregularity in me wood window sill, is adjustable, and can be raised or lowered to suit conditions of the sill by using a wrench to hold lock nut l1 and then placing a screw driver in slot 23 of screw l8 and turning same. The secondary rail l6 then can be raised or lowered through slot i9 thus making a snug, tight fit between the screen and the wood sill. The lock nut I1 is then tightened and the secondary rail I6 is held firmly in position. The same procedure is.

followed for eachside of the window frame. The

.unduecross stresses on the other knowntypes of,

frameless screens. In my invention thesecondary th'e sides of the window and then the screws i5 are tightened. It should be noted that all djustable parts are readilyaccessibie from the inside thus providing a detachable frameless window screen that can be readily mounted on any window frame irrespective of the altitude from the ground.

Referring to Figure 2 which is a longitudinal central cross section of my screen installed in a window frame, it should be noted that my invention allows .the opening of both upper and lower window sashes and provides a detachable frameless window screen which will extend across the entire window frame opening.

In the assembly of my screen the screen wire H is curled up at each end as shown in Figure 3 which is an exploded view of my invention and shows the parts comprising my invention and their relation to each other. The rails l2 and 13 are provided with longitudinal recesses for admission of the screen wire H. The ends of both rails l2 and i3 are open and the screen wire II is forced through either end into position. To lock the screen wire [I into position and hold it firmly in place I forcewedges 21 into each end of each rail thus providing an inexpensive holding device. The wedges 21 can be easily removed for adjustment or the replacement of a new screen wire. After fixing the adjustable holding devices to the lower ran-12 and the secondary rail IS, the screen is ready for installation or may be stored in a compact manner by rolling the screen wire ll. around either of the rails 12 or l3. It

' should befnoted that my invention provides an easy and quick assembly of the screen and also the installation of the same. The installation of my screen into position in a window frame requires no undue amount of skill and may be done easily by the ordinary la an. The assembly and the installation requires only the use of comrail liwfll take care of any variations in the sills or the. top rails. The screen is always evenly "stretched which will give the screen long life and will not elongate any of the holes in the screen wire to admit'insects' or flies. If the screen wire should stretch thus loosing its tautness, and the rail it drops lower, an adjustment can be made very easily and quickly by an adjustment of rail ii to suit.

As a means ofbringing' the screen II in a taut position so that it will fit snugly and tightly to the side window stops, I use a latch 21 which is pivotally mounted on screw l8 as shown'on the drawrings.

The latch shank 2| engages a bracket 22 which is mounted on the side window stops. The

' screw I8 is threaded full length and to obtain sired position. For vertical adjustment the shank 2| is threaded at its lower end for engagement into block 20. By turning the shank 2| in either direction the desired tension can be exerted to position the screen i I tautly against the window stops. Lateral adjustment of the top rail is accomplished by the slots It as shown in Fig. 3. Thewood screws iii are left loose when the screen is placed in position in the window frame. The top rail I2 is placed so that the screws l5 fit into slots ll through the eye hole. The rail I2 is then pulled inwardly into position so that the screen wire II is snugly fit against the window stops at mon ordinaryv tools such as a. small wrench, screw driver, and possibly a hammer.

In the design of my screen I have overcome an objection of the building trade to prior framevless-screens inthat-I do not use any screws in the window sill to fasten my screen to the window frame. When screws are used to fasten screens to the window sill, the screws break the paint surface and cause the window sills to rot. It has been proven that when such screws are used in the sills and removed when the screen is put away for storage, the sill will rot and the 'holes'in the sill willnot hold the same screws again.

It may accordingly be seen that I have provided a screen which .efiiciently fulfills the several objects hereinabovedescribed in a thoroughly practical manner. I

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth,

.2l can be moved inwardly or outwardly to the deinterpreted as illustrative or shown in the accompanying drawings, is to be and not in a limiting sense.

I claim: 1. In a detachable frameless window screen, the combination comprising, a wire screen, a top cross rail having a longitudinal groove and a slotted hole near each end and each slotted hole engaging a screw fixed to a window frame to hold said top rail against the window frame, a bottom rail having a longitudinal groove and stiffening ribs and flanges, an adjustable secondary bottom rail and means for facilitating the adjustment of same, said rail being adjustably connected to the bottom rail, means for attaching said wire screen to the rails at opposite ends of said screen, said means comprising wedges respectively placed at the corners of the screen and wedging and holding said wire screen into the longitudinal grooves in each rail, means for supporting the assembled screen upon a window frame, said means comprising a latch placed at each lower corner of the screen and each latch engaging a bracket fixed to the window frame and each latch having a pivotal connection with the bottom rail to hold the bottom rail against the window frame and take up the slack in the wire screen and align the latter in the window frame.

2. In a detachable frameless window screen, the combination comprising, a wire screen, a top cross rail having a longitudinal groove and a slotted hole near each end and each slotted hole engaging a screw fixed to the window frame to hold said top cross rail against the window frame, a bottom cross rail having a longitudinal groove and stiifening ribs and flanges, an adjustable secondary bottom rail and means for facilitating the adjustment of same, said rail being adjustably connected to the bottom rail, and means for attaching said wire screen to the rail at opposite ends of said wire screen, said means comprising wedges respectively placed at the corners of the screen and wedging and holding said wire screen into the longitudinal grooves in each rail.

3. In a detachable frameless window screen of the character disclosed, a means for attaching said wire screen at opposite ends to a top and a bottom longitudinally grooved rail, said means comprising wedges respectively placed at the corners of the screen and wedging and holding said wire screen in the longitudinal grooves of each rail.

4. In a detachable frameless window screen of the character disclosed, a means for supporting the screen upon a window frame at its lower corners, said means comprising a latch placed at each lower corner of the screen and each latch engaging a bracket fixed to the window frame and each latch having a pivotal connection with the bottom rail to hold the bottom rail against the window frame and take up the slack in the wire screen and align the latter in the window frame.

5. In a detachable frameless window screen comprising a wire screen, a top cross rail having a longitudinal groove and a slotted hole near each end and each slotted hole engaging a screw fixed to the window frame to hold said top cross rail against the window frame, in combination with a bottom cross rail having a longitudinal groove and stiilening ribs and flanges, a secondary bottom rail having a slot near each end and adjustably connected to the bottom rail, and means for facilitating adjusting and holding same in a fixed position in relation to the bottom rail and window sill.

6. In a detachable frameless window screen comprising a wire screen, a top cross rail having a longitudinal groove and a slotted hole near each end and each slotted hole engaging a screw fixed to the window frame to hold said top cross rail against the window frame, in combination with a bottom cross rail having a longitudinal groove and stiffening ribs and flanges, a secondary bottom rail having a slot near each end and adjustably connected to the bottom rail, and means for facilitating adjusting and holding same in a fixed position in relation to the bottom rail and window sill, said last mentioned means comprising a bolt threaded full length with a slot at its end, and a lock nut.

7. In a detachable frameless window screen comprising a wire screen, a top cross rail having a longitudinal groove and a slotted hole near each end and each slotted hole engaging a screw fixed to the window frame to hold said top cross rail against the window frame, in combination with. a bottom cross rail having a longitudinal groove and stiffening ribs and flanges, and means for attaching said wire screen at opposite ends to the top and bottom rails, said means comprising wedges respectively placed at the corners of the screen and wedging and holding said wire screen into the longitudinal grooves in each rail.

8. In a detachable frameless window screen comprising a wire screen, a top cross rail having a longitudinal groove and a slotted hole near each end and each slotted hole engaging a screw fixed to the window Irame to hold said top cross rail against the window frame, in combination with a bottom cross rail having a longitudinal groove and stiflening ribs and flanges, means for attaching said wire screen at opposite ends to the top and bottom rails, said means comprising wedges respectively placed at the corners of the screen and wedging and holding said wire screen into the longitudinal grooves in each rail, and

a secondary bottom rail having a slot near each end and adiustably connected to the bottom rail and means for facilitating adjusting and holding same in a fixed position in relation to the bottom rail and window sill.

HARRY P. RICHARDS. 

